NAACP Congratulates Connecticut House For Voting To End To The Death Penalty

April 11, 2012

(Washington, DC) – The NAACP released the following statements regarding the passage of legislation in the Connecticut House to repeal the death penalty.

From NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous

Tonight, Connecticut's legislature voted to abolish capital punishment for all the right reasons: the death penalty discriminates against people of color and poor people of all colors, and it is a profound waste of scarce law enforcement resources,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “By abolishing the death penalty, Connecticut will have more dollars to hire detectives to solve unsolved homicides and hire counselors to help murder victim family members.

The death penalty is a stain on the moral fabric of our nation. When Connecticut's governor sign's this bill into law, he will not only move his state forward, he will move our nation forward. Connecticut, we will have just nine states left until we can take the matter to the Supreme Court and abolish completely. That is our hope for eventually abolishing in states like Georgia and Texas. That is our hope for ensuring there will never be another Troy Davis or Todd Willingham.”

From NAACP Chairman of the National Board of Directors Roslyn M. Brock

“This vote puts Connecticut on the cusp of a creating a paradigm shift in the American justice system,” stated NAACP Chairman Roslyn Brock. “This vote moves Connecticut and the country away from a misguided “tough on crime” approach to justice, to a “smart on crime” approach that is moral, just, and cost-effective for its citizens. We are confident this will mark the beginning of a new era of states that will bring an end to the death penalty.”

From Connecticut NAACP State Conference President Scot X. Esdaile

“This vote virtually ensures that the repugnant practice of capital punishment will no longer a part of Connecticut culture,” stated Connecticut NAACP State Conference President Scot X. Esdaile. “I look forward to watching Governor Malloy sign this repeal bill into law.”

From NAACP Acting Criminal Justice Director Dr. Niaz Kasravi

“Connecticut has just taken a huge step to ensure that their system of justice is more fair and operates with integrity," stated NAACP Acting Criminal Justice Director Dr. Niaz Kasravi. “Research has long shown that the death penalty is both expensive and an ineffective deterrent to crime. Today, Connecticut joins the rest of the developed world in putting an end to this inhuman practice."

Recently, NAACP President Benjamin Jealous and Connecticut NAACP State Conference President Scot X. Esdaile met with Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy to discuss the repeal of the death penalty in the state. All parties agreed that it was time for the practice of capital punishment to come to an end. The NAACP has been working with civil rights leaders in Connecticut for several years to repeal the death penalty.

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.